The Dot
Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator
Candlewick Press, Fiction, Sep. 15, 2003
Suitable for: Ages 5 and up
Themes: Art, Imagination, Self-Confidence, Inspiration
Opening/Synopsis: “Art class was over, but Vashti sat glued to her chair. Her paper was empty. Vashti’s teacher leaned over the blank paper. ‘Ah! A polar bear in a snow storm,’ she said. ’ ‘Very funny! said Vashti. ‘I just can’t draw!” Her teacher asks Vashti to just make a mark. Vashti angrily gives the paper a jab. She asks Vashti to sign it. One morning Vashti walks into art class and sees her signed “dot” hanging in a frame behind the teacher’s desk. She decides she can make a better dot and begins to paint dots of all colors and sizes.
Why I love this book: Peter Reynolds has written and illustrated an inspirational book that encourages children of all ages to be brave and “make their mark.” There is no right or wrong way. He wants kids of all ages to imagine, dream and create. And this week over 500,000 children in all 50 states and around the globe will be participating in International Dot Day, whether in their classrooms or at home. Many kidlit bloggers will be making their dots this week. My dot is below.
Resources: Create your own dot. Visit http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ to learn more about International Dot Day, activity suggestions, resources, a global map showing participants and a peek at the dots being created by celebrities. There also is a Facebook page devoted to International Dot Day with frequent updates. There also is a teacher’s resource guide for Reynold’s The Dot and Ish. Below is the dot I created on my iPad with ArtRage. Check out the dot made by my colleague Beth Stilborn , who also encouraged bloggers to post their dots.
To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
My Dot
Patricia Howe Tilton 2012
Sep 14, 2012 @ 05:10:54
I really love this Patricia. What an inspirational idea. I just love it.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 09:54:39
Thank you Niamh. It is so exciting knowing over 500,000 children will be making their marks today, thanks to author Peter Reynolds and Terry Shay, a teacher and International Dot Ambassador.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:41:31
A wonderful achievement and initiative.
Sep 15, 2012 @ 01:00:57
Thank you. A great way to encourage kids to be creative, as you do on Plum Tree.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 06:00:14
Fun idea.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 09:55:31
Michelle, yes it is a wonderful and fun idea for kids.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 07:29:33
Very dot-ish! Aren’t Peter Reynolds books simply powerful? Love it; thanks for sharing.
Barbara
The Corner on Character
Sep 14, 2012 @ 09:57:14
Barbara, I agree. His books are simple and powerful — always packing an important message of encouragement for kids.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 07:36:42
Such a fabulous book, wonderful message and inspirational idea. Truly a message all kids should hear. Thank you for introducing me to the book and International Dot Day – a way for people who don’t think of themselves as artistic to express something of themselves in art. Love your beautiful rainbow dot – it looks like possibility
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:01:16
Susanna, it is an inspirational idea for kids. I’ve been looking at some of the dots being posted from around the world. A school in Afghanistan wrote and sang a song about the Dot. A school in America, created a human dot with 600 kids. It is inspiring kids everywhere. Would love to be a fly on the wall listening to how kids and classrooms came up with their dot creations.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 07:37:43
Your dot gave me a rainbow of smiles Pat!
One of my favorite ‘holidays’ – hope Hallmark doesn’t take it over and invent dot cards and dot tree ornaments and dot t-shirts, etc!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:03:38
Cathy, thank you. Love your witty comment.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:26:03
Sep 14, 2012 @ 08:50:08
I love your happy dot, Pat! I’ve had my head in the sand for a couple of weeks and didn’t know about Dot Day — but now that I do, I am going to get creative and share it tomorrow.
Thanks for the inspiration and for telling me more about this book!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:06:38
Renee, I love that you are going to create a dot and share it tomorrow. I think you’d find all of Peter Reynold’s books inspirational!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 09:13:26
Your rainbow dot is very soothing, Pat. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be the only one reviewing THE DOT this week for Perfect Picture Book Friday, but I couldn’t resist writing about it
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:08:30
Heather, thank you. I figured that with all the publicity, someone else would review it. Will look forward to your review.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 09:24:18
Love your rainbow dot-dot, Pat! That must have been fun to create!
This is such a good book — I so appreciate Peter’s “Creatrilogy.” It’s perfect for kids like the kid I was, who lose their confidence in their artistic ability. Happy International Dot Day-ish!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:10:46
Beth, thank you. I would have benefited from a book like this. He certainly knows how to inspire kids and make them feel good about themselves.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 10:33:14
Pat, love your Dot-of-Dots! I found myself not only looking at it, but into it which in turn sparked a creative flow. Thanks
A simple dot spurs creativity. I love it! Can’t wait to read DOT.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 11:05:01
Thank you Lori. I appreciate your comment. You will love “The Dot.” It’s such an important book for kids.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 11:28:56
Are you going to eat some Dots candy?
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:09:47
Clever, very clever! Hadn’t thought of Dots candy.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 11:49:28
Beautiful dot, Patricia, and a beautiful message from that book.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:10:28
Carrie, thank you. Th book has a wonderful message for kids.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:19:04
Love the blur on your dotty dot, Pat. And I am a huge fan of Peter’s books Dot and Ish!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:24:06
Thanks Joanna. I think we all are fans of his books. Such encouragement for kids
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:23:29
I love your dot, Patricia. I checked out this book from the library and shared it with a friend who teachers middle school art. I told her about the website. She shared all of this with her students, and they made dots as the first project of the year. She loved it and I think she will repeat it every year! Thanks for the great review!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 12:26:32
Penny, that is so cool. It is interesting how the word passes. Thank you for sharing the story.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 14:50:54
Nice review. We love this book. Will be posting my Dot tomorrow.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 17:58:08
Darshana, I’ excited you’re posting a dot. Will check it out!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 16:35:37
So inspiring for those who don’t think they can. Great choice, Pat.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 17:59:07
Thanks Catherine. I wished I would have had a book like this as a child and the encouragement of teachers.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 16:47:36
Cool dot! I love it! Josie thinks it looks like a peacock
Thank you for telling us about International Dot Day. Josie and I will post our dots tomorrow! 
I am also going to do a post about Dr. Clunes Sahel event!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 18:02:51
Thank you Erik and Josie. It does look like a peacock! You’re right. I saw it as a kind of mandala of color. But, I like Josie’s version better. A peacock it is — and I love peacocks. Glad you’re posting dots. And, yes I want to post about Sahel — that’s why I left Saturday open.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 19:47:55
What a joyous book and idea, especially for someone who has always considered himself “art-challenged.” We were just putting our “What’s special this week” page to bed when your email arrived so we added you and International Dot Day! http://www.reachandteach.com/content/article.php?story=20120914133158385
Sep 14, 2012 @ 21:07:41
Craig, I’ve been talking International Dot Day for the past few weeks. You missed those posts. I’m glad I could be of help.
I tried to click on the link and it would let me in. Says I’m not a member. Glad you liked the post.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 20:39:52
This is such an amazing book with a wonderful message that inspires. Thanks so much for sharing, Pat!
Sep 14, 2012 @ 21:08:39
Amy, thanks for you comments. It is an amazing and inspirational book.
Sep 14, 2012 @ 23:34:17
Thanks for posting your awesome dot!!! Pat, I love your blog and having you celebrate Dot Day on it was extra special!! Thanks for spreading creativity.
Sep 15, 2012 @ 00:58:37
Terry, with all the busy twitter traffic, I’m surprised you saw my post. We had a good turn out of bloggers posting their dots. And, our FabHampton class with Peter at the Southampton Stonybrook Children’s Literature Conference, created a dot. It has been a fun experience and very worthwhile. I love the stories that I’m hearing from people.
Sep 15, 2012 @ 03:49:28
Pat…thank you for a super wonderful post…I didn’t know about International Dot Day until I heard it from you and Beth. It is a wonderful movement to encourage kids to freely express themselves through art…I just love this!
Sep 15, 2012 @ 10:05:56
Thank you Vivian. So happy your participated and made your mark with your grandson.
Sep 15, 2012 @ 05:43:27
Love your Dot Pat, so colourful. I love the concept of helping kids being creative through art….. As promised here is my dot…. http://thepatientdreamer.com/2012/09/15/international-dot-day-15-september-2012/
Sep 16, 2012 @ 19:25:20
Love your dot!
Sep 16, 2012 @ 23:02:59
Thanks Jennifer. It was a tremendous celebration. They reached over 600,000 kids — and people posted dots who didn’t register.
Sep 16, 2012 @ 20:16:58
I love your dot.
Sep 16, 2012 @ 23:11:01
Thank you. I hope you publicize and join in the fun next year.
Sep 19, 2012 @ 17:53:16
A great book for kids and adults. Probably should be required reading for some of my design classes. I meet more and more people who were told one day, somewhere that they couldn’t draw. It’s nice at any age to see encouragement.
Sep 19, 2012 @ 18:03:17
Stacy, I’ve had many respones like that. I agree, it’s a great book for kids and adults. Glad you like this gem.